New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-10
VIEWS OF IRISH LEADERS.
HOME RULE SEEMS LONG WAY OFF.
| ANXIETY, DOUBT AND IMPATIENCE-THE oRGANI-
CATIONS AND HOW THEY WORK.

lrishAmerican the other day in place downtown
where Irishmen are accustomed to meet and discuss
the chance of Home Rule. He not overstating
the case Not alone in Ireland but in this country
their discipline almost perfect but especially in Ire
land where the political arrangements and the methods
Of choosing candidates for Parliament have been
copied during the past few years at all events, almost
entirely after the American plan Here in New YORK
the number and the Variety of Irish associations is re-
markabc bnt more remarkable still Ia the unity and
the good feeling that exists between them, despite
what is often said to the contrary. The only man
against whom every mans hand seems raised and " no
in turn seems 20 raise his hand against every man is
ODonovan Rosa. But the truth is not always told
about the great dynamter, the alleged great
dynamlter. and indeed he seems rather to enjoy
the distinction of being lied about. Most OF
the people in Ireland regard Rosa as big
ferocous just as they picture Broadway TO be a
street at least halt mile in width. That class OF
emgrants who have sooner arrived than they
/" want to see him. disappointed when they do see
him. They say that he is altogether commonplace and
talks with the brogue just like of ourselves for
all the world This first visit to the Office of The
United 1rshman" in Chambers-st. makes the emf
grant believe that he Is in Ireland STILL and when ne
looks at the big backthorn stick hanging the wall
he is convinced of ii beyond doubt for underneath Is
extract from Froude's history Eng land will
never surrender Ireland until she is beaten to her
kuees" The thoroughly Irish humor that is conveyed
in the idea that this beating is to be accompl he'd with
black thorn sticks would have its effect upon less
sensitive nature than that Of County Cork man just
landed. The emigrant is surprised to find that Rosa
do nothing in the way of getting him work. He
seems to have SO little influence. He himself says he
has vast amount, but he would rather cue OIL his
hand than 90 under compliment to the politicians"
The Irish National League, the Irish Parliamentary
Fund Association the Irish Historical Society, the
Ancient Order of Hbernians the Friendly Sons of st.
Patrick, the ST. Patrcks Club, the Home Rule Club,
the Friends of LELAND the Fenian Brotherhood and
the Clan-na-Gael Association the best known OF
the Irish organizations In the city. The 1rishman not
connected with one OF these is said to be negec
tive In his duty. Rosa disagrees with and opposes
all OF them. There one, the Fenan brotherhood,
which until recently he didn't oppose because he
OF its officers. But it deposcd him few months
ago and he opposes it too. SO that the remark
that his hand is against everybody is pretty nearly
correct.
OF these organizations the Clan MAJ Gael is perhaps
the most powerful and claims to be larger than any
other single Irish society throughout the country.
How far this IL cannot be known. as it Is secret
organization. an American counterpart as 1t were OF
the revolutionary organizations IN Ireland whose
shattered fragments have been welded together once
moro after years of patient toll following the crushing
disaster which overlook the unsuccessful attempt at
insurrection in 1867 The only thing definitely known
about the objects of the Clanna is that they
partly revolutionary. Where when Ia what man
ner they to act toward securing this end Is not
known and although during the present critical condi
ton OF affairs, unorganized well organized Irish
at all events speaking II not threatening
this mysterious power says nothing but continues to do
whatever il is doing without permitting any outsider
20 know anything about IT, None of its leaders, or at
oil events none OF those who known to be its lead
ers appear platforms, ever mako speeches or
ever distribute information to anxious public as 10
what will be the outcome OF the struggle between
England and Ireland But that such an organization
really EXISTS and that the English Government knows
of its existence longer admits OF doubt. for frequent
illusions we're made to IL In tho English papers aud
the blame W ~ even left mt the door OF some OF its
leaders that 1t they who directed the dynamite
operation, in England sonie years ago.
TO obtain news, therefore. and Ia ascertain what is
beng done those lines which Parnell IA known to
approve recourse must be had TO the Irish National
League and it, operations studied There are at least
thirty branches OF this organization III the CITY, with
enrolled membership OF closo upon 10000 Inc
League made OF what might lac called, to make II
plain and easily understood, the middle class
lrishmen. They not rich IA the people OF the
Parliamentary Fund Association nor poor as tue
motley following which make up the Fenlan Brother
hood. They active, intelligent men though and
exceedingly generous in their contributions They
keep American politics altogether out OF tho question.
rather they they do, TO be more nearly
ate STILL they say they try to- Each branch elects
certain number OF delegates to what is known rs the
Municipal Council OF the League which holds weekly
meetings The proceedings though public, are rarely
noticed Ill the newspap vet 1t has been by no means
uncommon to find the members OF ono OF these
branches in poor part OF the city forwarding 10 the
treasurer OF the council once aud sometimes twice and
three times year. but ALWAYS once, from 5000 10
~ 800 and sometimes much "a 5000. They
have been doing this for eight years IL has
been a heavy though voluntary tax. but 1t has been
given without murmur. But there is daily growing
dissatisfaction and they say they becoming tired
tho League ana tired of contributing TO II because
Home Rule seems further OIL than ever. Ihis is the
tone OF speeches md conversations heard IN many
quarters. year ago 1t quite different Then all
classes and conditions, the most radical, were
OF
possibility Of n bright future Tor Ireland This was
the feeling until comparatively short time ago when
the members OF the Twentieth Ward branch held
meeting This before il was known that coercion
Dill to be NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the time that the
evctlons in County Kerry were bcinS carried out.
Speakers at that meeting said Parliamentary agitation
had had tair chance and some more pronounced
complaints uttered Shortly after this the branch
tell into disavOr, or 1t WAS thought II did Every
eptlct short OF traitor was applied 10 It's members.
10 say that they were " kickeis was thought To Dc
entirely too mild. To suspend tho branch was alone
deemed suhcieGt to wipe out its offence. Inc national
secretary OF tho organization spoke strongly ON the
subject. But far from apologizng for any thing
that they had said, delegates from the branch who
attended tho next meeting oil the Municipal Council
repeated the " offence" few months vent by and
expressions Of impotence are common. his
feeling was expressed at meeting the other evening
of of the League branches, when an orator gave
uterance TO the wing curious figure, ana original
well curious: " All wo have got TO do he said,
is TO spit the tobaccouIce OF determination into tho
OF John Bull and the beast is mamed and dishg
ured liic!" Although there said to be certain
harmony between mans thoughts and habits. this
orator never chcwed. But he lett the audience IN u
stew for those who heard il could not agree TO
what new discovery Tor the benefit OF an angry
minority the speaker referred to when he talked about
utilizing the tobacco juice OF determination.
The question OF coercion is now the topic OF tho
hour. lrshmon say that not until within the last two
years was there any thing like general understanding
OF the Irish question among Americans, and their
Knowledge at tais moment Is by no means perfect.
We are tainted with beng IMPATIENT say the Irish.
men Z" how be otherwise than mpatientf
What has made ashamed OF ourselves Is that 80
many OF our people lost their heads when the Home
Rule bill was introduced. l do not mean that the
Irishmen In America should not have held their en-
thusiastic meetings in support OF the bill do mean,
though, that all the glory should not have been given
to Mr. Gladstone Tor the BILL and tho bill should not
have been hailed the triumph OF our hopes III
impatient and restless now it is because predic-
tions have been often made and so seldom fulfilled.
We told that two years after tho Introduction OF
the bill Homo Rule would be granted. 1t may not
in ten. year ago it said that IL Home Rule
didn't pass, cnd forever put to coercion any
hOw-no Ministry would ever again dare to Introduce
such measure. Is that fa,ti Can we BIO blamed IT